43rd PARLIAMENT, 1st SESSION Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic EVIDENCE NUMBER 019 Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Chair: The Honourable Anthony Rota 1 Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic Tuesday, June 9, 2020 ● (1200) Mr. Paul Manly (Nanaimo—Ladysmith, GP): Thank you, [Translation] Madam Chair. The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès (Brossard— It's an honour to present a petition for the residents and con‐ Saint-Lambert, Lib.)): I now call this meeting to order. stituents of Nanaimo—Ladysmith. Welcome to the 19th meeting of the Special Committee on the Yesterday was World Oceans Day. This petition calls upon the COVID-19 Pandemic. House of Commons to establish a permanent ban on crude oil [English] tankers on the west coast of Canada to protect B.C.'s fisheries, tourism, coastal communities and the natural ecosystems forever. I remind all members that in order to avoid issues with sound, members participating in person should not also be connected to the Thank you. video conference. For those of you who are joining via video con‐ ference, I would like to remind you that when speaking you should The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Thank you very be on the same channel as the language you are speaking. much. [Translation] We now go to Mrs. Jansen. As usual, please address your remarks to the chair, and I will re‐ Mrs. Tamara Jansen (Cloverdale—Langley City, CPC): mind everyone that today's proceedings are televised. Thank you, Madam Chair. We will now proceed to ministerial announcements. I'm pleased to rise today to table a petition concerning con‐ [English] science rights for palliative care providers, organizations and all health care professionals. The petitioners recognize that palliative I understand there are no ministerial announcements today, so we care and euthanasia are entirely separate practices, distinct legally, will go to presenting petitions. clinically and philosophically. Mr. Genuis, you are on. They were compelled to call the government to action after the Mr. Garnett Genuis (Sherwood Park—Fort Saskatchewan, Delta Hospice Society faced sanctions from Fraser Health for refus‐ CPC): Thank you very much, Madam Chair. ing to offer on-site euthanasia to their patients. This is expressly against the conscience of the hospice. I'm pleased to be presenting a petition in support of Bill S-204, currently before the Senate, or it will be once Parliament is able to Bill C-14, which legalized euthanasia, affirms that freedom of sit. It would make it a criminal offence for a person to go abroad to conscience and religion is still guaranteed in Canada. This petition receive an organ for which there has not been consent. It would also calls on the government to do a better job ensuring this is the case. create a mechanism by which someone could be deemed inadmissi‐ No person or organization should be compelled to act against its ble to Canada if they're involved in organ harvesting and traffick‐ own conscience in this country. ing. It seeks to respond to the horrific situation where organs have The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Thank you. been taken from political prisoners without their consent. In some cases, people from other countries have received those organs via I see no further petitions. I would like to remind members in the transplant. chamber that those who have not yet done so are asked to bring I commend this petition for the consideration of the committee. I their petitions to the table. know the petitioners are hoping to see this Parliament finally pass [Translation] legislation dealing with organ harvesting and trafficking. The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Thank you. We will now proceed to statements by members. We now go to the honourable member for Nanaimo—Ladysmith, The honourable Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fi‐ Mr. Manly. nance has the floor. 2 COVI-19 June 9, 2020 ● (1205) Even in a community like Châteauguay, which has always [English] opened its arms to newcomers, we've seen regrettable acts of injus‐ Mr. Sean Fraser (Central Nova, Lib.): With temperatures go‐ tice. There is hope, however: four young girls in our community, ing up and restrictions coming down, Nova Scotians are looking with the help of their parents and local police, successfully orga‐ forward to the summer. Though our communities feel a little differ‐ nized a peaceful, responsible and inclusive demonstration. They ent this year, there's no shortage of local activities to enjoy across were expecting 20 or so of their friends to show up this past Satur‐ the entire region. day, but more than 300 people of all colours came together in soli‐ darity to support the global Black Lives Matter movement. We are home to world-class beaches along Canada's warmest stretch of ocean on the Northumberland Strait. We also have access Each of us has a role to play in abolishing systemic racism. to the rugged terrain and white sand beaches of the Eastern Shore along the wild islands that dot the coast. I would like to thank Maribel, Marilou, Jessika and Audrey for We have great places and events that allow us to socialize while giving us an opportunity to express our support. practising physical distancing, like the new beer garden at the Sober Island brewery in Sheet Harbour, the community food forest [English] in Middle Musquodoboit or the Antigonight art festival in Antigo‐ nish. The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Ms. Gill. We have extraordinary trail systems to get outdoors along the East River and Musquodoboit River Valley, near the lighthouses at [Translation] Cape George and along Trenton Park and Arisaig Provincial Park. We're even going to be able to take in a movie at the soon-to-be- Mrs. Marilène Gill (Manicouagan, BQ): Madam Chair, so few reopened Highland Drive-In in Westville, so get your popcorn workers have access to employment insurance that, in the midst of ready. the COVID-19 crisis, the government had to come up with the Canada emergency response benefit, or CERB, to make up for its If I'm going to be stuck anywhere this summer, I'm glad it's at failings. That's why, today, I am speaking on behalf of the Mouve‐ home in Nova Scotia. Join me in supporting our local businesses ment Action-Chômage, the Mouvement d'éducation populaire et and organizations so we can be tourists in our own backyard. Most d'action communautaire du Québec, the councils of the Confédéra‐ of all, be safe out there and enjoy the summer. tion des syndicats nationaux, chambers of commerce and first na‐ The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Mr. Morrison. tions communities in my region, on the north shore, and elsewhere in Quebec. I am also speaking for dozens of entrepreneurs, elected Mr. Rob Morrison (Kootenay—Columbia, CPC): Madam officials, band councils and worker advocacy groups, from Montre‐ Chair, every time we enter this House, I am reminded of my com‐ al to Blanc-Sablon. mitment to the constituents of Kootenay—Columbia and the mag‐ nitude of the role each of us plays in securing a future for our democratic institutions. All of them have written to the federal government today de‐ manding employment insurance reforms so that all workers have Collette Caron, a constituent in my riding, recently sent me a access to benefits. They are also calling for the five additional note that represents the overwhelming sentiment of our area. I will weeks for seasonal workers to be made permanent. read it. It states: Mr. Morrison, I would like to know why the Prime Minister participated in an event with thousands of people, where social distancing was not being practiced, That is vital not just for industries such as fisheries and tourism, and yet continues to postpone recalling parliament over COVID concerns. I but also for the cultural sector. The government must extend the would like to know if he understands that at his request and direction we have CERB for those workers who will not be going back to their old made enormous sacrifices to follow the rules. Canadians were not allowed to jobs anytime soon. They need assurance that they will have some‐ visit their dying loved ones, or hold funerals, and businesses have gone bankrupt. Many folks can’t pay their bills or rent and grad ceremonies and wed‐ thing coming in to help them through the year ahead, which must dings have been cancelled.... not turn into a long-drawn-out EI gap. Madam Chair, Mrs. Caron is correct. If an event with thousands of Canadians is health-safe for the Prime Minister, then bring the [English] voice of Canadians back to the House by reopening Parliament. The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Mr. Sheehan. The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): Ms. Shanahan. [Translation] Mr. Kenny Chiu (Steveston—Richmond East, CPC): Madam Mrs. Brenda Shanahan (Châteauguay—Lacolle, Lib.): Chair, I have a point of order, please. I have been on the English Madam Chair, ever since the tragic murder of George Floyd, the channel, but unfortunately I was not able to listen to the translation Black Lives Matter protests have been multiplying, reminding us of the honourable member's speech just now. that police brutality and systemic racism against the black commu‐ nity exist. Now is the time to show our solidarity with our brothers The Acting Chair (Mrs. Alexandra Mendès): There seems to and sisters of colour and to take a symbolic knee. have been an issue with the translation. June 9, 2020 COVI-19 3 [Translation] Mrs. Tamara Jansen: I recently got word that a long-term care facility in my riding was not going to receive Canada summer jobs Can we check whether the interpretation is coming through now? funding this year, after eight previous years of being approved.